The top four runners in each of the initial six heats automatically qualified for the second round. The next eight fastest runners from across the heats also qualified. Those 33 runners competed in 4 heats in the second round, with the top three runners from each heat qualifying for the semifinals. There were two semifinals, and only the top four from each heat advanced to the final.

After a false start eliminated nobody, on the second try the field started even. Anier Garcia accelerated his first few steps better and gained a few centimeter lead over the first barrier, which he rattled. Typically fast starting Terrence Trammell was just slightly awkward on his second step losing a slight amount of ground. Defending champion Allen Johnson was close to Garcia, and even after clobbering the first two hurdles, he was pulling even. The entire lead group hit the third hurdle, by now Johnson and Garcia had a clear lead, with Trammell a clear third place. Johnson continued to hit hurdles, losing ground to Garcia, while Mark Crear was emerging ahead of world record holder Colin Jackson by not touching his hurdles while Jackson hit hurdle 4 awkwardly enough to pull him out of contention. Johnson hit the ninth hurdle with is lead heel, not even close to getting over the hurdle. The awkwardness of riding the last hurdle down to the ground lost his forward momentum. Garcia had a metre and a half lead at the finish over Trammell, and while Crear did hit the last hurdle he was able to beat Johnson, who had not left a single hurdle behind him still standing, to the line for bronze.